Hiring: Program Coordinator -CISA

Job Opening:  Program Coordinator—Climate/Environment

Status:  40 (full-time) hours a week

Time Frame:  Review begins July 14, 2021; position open until filled

Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) is a nonprofit organization that strengthens farms and engages the community to build the local food economy. Our programs include the Be a Local Hero, Buy Locally Grown^® marketing campaign, educational activities for the public, trainings, workshops, and support for farmers, and programs to expand market options for farmers and increase access to local food in our region. We believe that an informed and engaged community is essential to a resilient local food economy and that local food builds community by connecting us to farmers, to the seasons, and to each other.

Our team has a range of skills and life experiences and is a mix of trainers, policy experts, fundraisers, communicators, and administrators. We work to build a diverse and resilient food economy with viable farms, fair and just working conditions, strong environmental stewardship, and accessible and available local food in all of our communities. We are committed to understanding the history and current impacts of racism in the food system and actively work towards equity. We are committed to recruiting and retaining creative, ethical, smart, and innovative people and to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Our ideal candidate has experience with and enjoys providing farmers with technical assistance support; is familiar with agricultural businesses and can help farms implement practical and meaningful changes to their operations; and has training in scientific inquiry and can translate research and government guidance for farm-level decisions. Candidates should be capable project managers; be detail-oriented and able to see the big picture; and have organization systems to provide multiple farms with support simultaneously through multiple channels.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1) Implement CISA’s direct technical assistance as a member of the Farm Business Support Team:

• Plan and implement workshops, tours, networking meetings and/or training sessions primarily focused on climate change adaptation and mitigation and farm sustainability.
• Research climate change-related technical assistance programs and providers and identify appropriate climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies for our region.
• Coordinate outreach to farmers about educational offerings and support organizational outreach through email, phone, and mailings.
• Provide farms with assistance on climate change adaptation and mitigation, sustainable farming practices, energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, and a range of other business management topics.
• Coordinate support and assistance for farmers and related business owners by connecting them with CISA staff and/or outside professionals for support.
• Provide troubleshooting, advice, and referrals to farmers and related business owners.
• Maintain and develop strategic partnerships with other business assistance providers.
• Effectively use CISA’s existing databases to manage work.
• Build awareness about CISA and the Be a Local Hero, Buy Locally Grown^® program among potential Local Hero membership groups and the community.
• Perform other duties as requested.

2) Bring creative and strategic thinking about farm and business support that can further CISA’s mission.

3) Represent CISA at public presentations and other venues/channels as needed.

 Other Duties

Perform other related duties as assigned by the Special Projects Director.

REPORTING and SUPERVISION

This position reports to the Special Projects Director. May include opportunities to supervise occasional interns or volunteers.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Training and/or experience providing business support and education that is transferable and relevant to our audience of small-scale farm operations.
• Ability to support farms in adapting to and mitigating climate change as well as implementing other improvements in their business management.
• Experience with project management, including organizing timelines, coordinating with other staff members, clients, or partners, and handling multiple projects and deadlines.
• Ability to write concisely and compellingly, on a deadline, in English, about scientific subjects.
• Self-motivated with the ability to collaborate well with a team.
• Comfortable (and persistent in) reaching out to people on the phone and over email for deadline-driven work.
• Computer fluency and experience with MS Office suite, with demonstrated ability to create and use spreadsheets.
• Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent experience

PREFERENCES

• Experience in the sustainable agriculture field.
• Familiarity with expected impacts of climate change on northeastern agriculture.
• Experience with databases and/or web-based data management programs, such as Airtable.
• Working Spanish proficiency or fluency in Spanish.

Hours and compensation: $19-$22/hour, depending on experience. This is a full-time 40 hours/week, non-exempt position. Health care, vision, dental, long-term disability, 401K matching, sick time, holidays, and vacation are offered. Access to a car and some weekend and evening availability are required.

Due to COVID-19, CISA staff members have been working remotely. Beginning in mid-July, all staff members will be expected to work in the office in South Deerfield for a portion of every week. Regular travel within CISA’s service area (Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties, MA) for technical assistance service provision, outreach, and events will be required.

Writing samples and references may be requested.

CISA is an equal opportunity employer. Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which CISA is firmly bound. CISA will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with CISA on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other characteristics protected by law. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment.

Please complete application questions and attach your resume via our online application form. Questions can be directed to jennifer@buylocalfood.org. Cover letters are not required and will not be reviewed.